East Coast restaurants – specifically in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been known for their good food. More recently though, the area has seen a rise in great cafes, specialty grocers, Italian cuisine and bakeries (with fresh sourdough!). From East Coast brunch cafes and alfresco restaurants, to bars and gourmet supermarkets, here’s a list of the top East Coast food to try. And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore. You can walk along the coast or look at funky shophouses before or after and make it an outing! We’ve included some info on the neighbourhood below too!
East Coast food
Little Farms Katong – East Coast cafe and grocer
New to the Katong neighbourhood is gourmet grocer Little Farm’s fifth and largest outlet. It features a full-fledged bistro, supermarket, butcher counter and bar. Spanning 6,000 square feet, the spacious spot also has a convenient grab-and-go counter, so you can sip on your favourite smoothie or Allpress coffee and have a light bite while walking through the aisles.
On the groceries end, you’ll find an impressive selection of premium, all-natural cuts at the butcher, plus organic, gluten-free, keto and plant-based options. Choose from a wide range of fruits and veggies like Australian Shepard avocados, local herbs by Urban Tiller, and kale by local company Sustenir Agriculture. Up for a delicious East Coast brunch, lunch or dinner? Rest your feet at the bistro and kick back with some well-deserved healthy nosh. The casual diner offers nourishing signatures from Little Farms Cafe , as well as a few new additions, all prepared with top-quality ingredients. Think light salads, grass-fed steaks, plant-based munchies and more. Wash it all down with aselection of curated fine wines, signature cocktails and draft craft beers at the bar, because why not?
451 Joo Chiat Road
6241 2803 | littlefarms.com
Awfully Chocolate – East Coast cafe with brunch and dinner deals
For well over two decades, Awfully Chocolate has been serving up super tasty cakes, confectionery and desserts. While you might be familiar with them for their chocolate desserts, their new café in Katong is perfect for an East Coast brunch (or lunch and dinner!) Breakfast keeps things chocolatey with Danish pastries and croissants glazed with 45% dark milk and 70% dark chocolate; what’s more, the chocolate comes fresh from their chocolate taps, which are unique to the cafe. The Bakery Club Brunch, meanwhile, begins with a breakfast fruit plate with Awfully Chocolate cacao granola; this is followed by truffle cream eggs served with your choice of three different breads, each one baked upon ordering and served with roasted aubergine, whole camembert or parma ham and a garlic tomato relish.
In the evenings, you can also pick from their Amazing Value $25 Dinners. Hearty options include grilled Angus mille-feuille; tender brisket is sandwiched between flaky butter pastry and topped with an intriguing smoky cacao gravy made with 60% from the tap. If you fancy something a little lighter, opt for the tender miso aged cod served with a tapenade of cep mushroom-infused al dente spaghettini.
131 East Coast Road
6345 2190 | awfullychocolate.com
Joo Chiat restaurants
Sinpopo Brand – Joo Chiat restaurant
For a local East Coast brunch in a charming setting, check out Sinpopo Brand along Joo Chiat Road. Inspired by the unique Peranakan culture and cuisine, this restaurant in Joo Chiat serves up authentic and exciting local gourmet dishes. Exclusive to Sinpopo Brand are crowd favourites like Sinpopo’s Nasi Lemak set for two, the flavourful Nyonya Kiam Chye Arg (salted mustard greens and duck soup) and Sinpopo Crab Bee Hoon, which are all prepared with premium ingredients.
Pair your meal with the refreshing Sng Muay Pop (iced sour plum drink with a fizzy, refreshing twist) and creative sides like the Muah Chee Salad. For desserts, the creamy Durian Pengat is a must-have, alongside handcrafted cakes in local flavours like gula melaka and pandan kaya.
458 Joo Chiat Road
sinpopo.com
Smokey’s – BBQ restaurant on Joo Chiat
Located in the heart of Joo Chiat, Smokey’s is a local neighbourhood barbecue joint that focuses on big flavours. The East Coast restaurant uses quality meat and achieves authentic American barbecue flavours with its five purpose-built smokers imported from the US. The meats are slow-roasted (over 20 hours for some cuts!), and smoked at low temperatures, so you can expect ultra-juicy goodness and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. A secret blend of seasonings and imported wood chips are used too, which adds extra oomph.
The baby back ribs and beef brisket are their specialties. However, if you’re up for a massively meaty experience, try the Angus beef short rib. Then, settle into your meal with one of America’s favourite beverages: beer! This is one of the only places in the East Coast where you can find fresh, premium American craft beer. The tap list is carefully curated with a variety of IPAs and lagers pouring at all times.
Don’t miss
Visit on Thursdays for extended happy hour prices to go with a $10 Smokey’s Classic Burger!
73 Joo Chiat Place
smokeysbbq.com.sg
ETNA Italian Restaurant
Looking for East Coast food with international acclaim? This East Coast restaurant is one of the 20 authentic Italian restaurants in Singapore to be given the Ospitalita Italiana Gold Seal Award, which is the official quality seal for Italian restaurants around the world. In an elegant and cosy setting in Upper East Coast, ETNA Italian Restaurant offers contemporary Italian cuisine with a Sicilian touch. Here you’ll find authentic Italian pizzas, pastas, fresh fish flown in from Italy, traditional desserts, plus an impressive wine list to boot.
Start with the Antipasto Etna ($38): Italian cold cuts, marinated veggies and baked ricotta. Another highlight is the burrata cheese (from $28) with Parma ham, cherry tomatoes and rocket salad. Signature pasta mains include linguine with fresh flower crab in crabmeat sauce ($28), and homemade lobster ravioli with butter pistachio cream and prawns ($36) – a seafood lover’s dream come true! Don’t miss the fab selection of sweets, too; you won’t go wrong with the classic tiramisu ($14) with authentic pistachio paste from Bronte, Sicily.
Top tip: If you’re visiting this East Coast restaurant for weekday lunch, check out their value-for-money lunch set.
110 Upper East Coast Road
6444 9530 | etnaitalianrestaurant.com.sg
Lush Platters – Catering
Looking for East Coast food for a party? Known for its delicious and beautifully assembled cheese boards and grazing tables, Lush Platters has recently opened a pickup point in the vibrant neighbourhood of Joo Chiat. Over the years, the team has catered for thousands of events such as weddings, birthdays, major brand launches, business meetings, boat trips and casual gatherings. The cosy nook is a one-stop shop for luxury cheese platters, light bites, wine and gourmet gifts. Many of the items are made in house including crackers, dips and salads. Orders need to be done at least two to three days in advance.
19 Joo Chiat Place
hello@lushplatters.com | lushplatters.com
Alimentari General Store
Shopping at this food store in Joo Chiat Road is like stepping into a typical Italian neighbourhood grocer. It has everything for the perfect Italian pantry, with staples like pasta, olive oils, sauces, preserved vegetables, plus a dedicated cheese fridge stocked with artisanal cheeses from all over Italy. The store also carries a small selection of fine cold cuts like Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, guanciale and more, so you can whip up an easy cheese and charcuterie platter if you’re hosting. For vino, you’ll find over 100 different Italian wines from interesting, boutique wineries, many of which specialise in growing native grape varietals.
Also, don’t miss out on the ice-cream freezer! You’ll find a beautiful selection of gelati and sorbetti from one of Italy’s oldest gelaterias, Gelati Pepino 1884. Or try one of Alimentari’s delicious desserts, Tiramisu and Coffeemisu, specially made in-house by their chef.
201 Joo Chiat Road
About the East Coast of Singapore
The East Coast area runs from Kallang for 18km to Changi Airport, and has long been popular with expats. It’s usually breezy, and the East Coast Park with its cycling, running and entertainment options is a great attraction. There’s a mix of houses and condos for various budgets, and many people say that once you’ve lived in this area, it’s hard to move away. The ECP, KPE and PIE motorways provide easy access to the city, the north and the airport. UWC South East Asia, the Canadian School and many other schools have campuses here too, and there are also good preschools.
Where to live on the East Coast
Deciding where to live in Singapore needs careful consideration, especially when you’ll most likely be locked into your lease for two years. How about an East Coast condo? Here, we’ve put together a list of areas in the East Coast of Singapore that will help you focus your search and allow you to make a more informed decision.
Katong / Joo Chiat
These inland areas are close to town and favoured by expats who are keen to experience local Peranakan culture or live in one of the beautiful shophouses. The colourful neighbourhoods boast several large malls, including Parkway Parade and 112 Katong.
Siglap / Bedok
These areas are further north and have more of a village feel. Housing options vary from apartments and townhouses to spacious, detached bungalows. The new purpose-built campus of UWC South East Asia is close by, as is OWIS. There are a couple of MRTs that run through this area, along to EXPO and the airport.
Tips from a resident of the East Coast
“The East gives us that perfect balance. I like being nearer to the sea, and not as close to the urban and concrete jungle! There are great local schools and now most international schools also have campuses here. There are plenty of eateries and restaurants with all sorts of multicultural cuisine too. Even better, there’s a new MRT line close by.”
– Shivani
Liked this feature on East Coast food, cafes in Katong and restaurants in Joo Chiat? Check out more on our Wine & Dine page!
